Commercial aircraft design, engineering, manufacturing, and sales is one of the principal sectors of the U.S. aerospace industry.

And as is the case throughout the U.S. aerospace industry, successful commercial products often are the result of collaborative efforts among airframe, engine, electronics, and other suppliers.

For example, the newest series of large commercial airliners may be designed and assembled by one company, but with engines supplied by a second company and electronics contributed by a third.

When it comes to the production of smaller business and private airplanes, buyers have several different U.S. companies - that produce either jet or propeller aircraft - from which to select a small or mid-sized plane that is best tailored to their needs.

In the days ahead, U.S. aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers will be looking for thousands of qualified, skilled employees who are aerospace engineers; aerospace engineering and operations technicians; and aircraft structure, surface, rigging, and systems assemblers.

These manufacturers, their parts suppliers, and other air transportation support companies are also going to require many trained aircraft and avionics mechanics and service technicians who can help maintain and repair existing aircraft engines, landing gear, instruments, pressured sections, and accessories - brakes, valves, pumps, and other systems.

Furthermore, all of these enterprises are going to need additional business, financial, information system, and administrative managers and staff.

Four sites have information on careers in the air sector of the aerospace industry. We highlight the sites and the content we think you'll find useful as you explore your career options in this area of aerospace.